ASCA Submits Comments for Proposed ASC Facility Guidelines

ASCA has submitted comments to the chairman of the Facility Guidelines Institute, addressing problematic changes to the FGI 2014 proposed facility guidelines, according to an ASCA report.

According to ASCA, the guidelines as currently written would be excessive and burdensome, particularly for smaller ASCs. The FGI is a not-for-profit organization that publishes revised guidelines on the design and construction of healthcare facilities, including ASCs, every four years.

The Joint Commission, federal agencies and authorities in 42 states use the guidelines as a code or reference standard when approving or accrediting healthcare facilities. ASCA is concerned about several aspects of the new guidelines, such as:

• A provision that would increase the minimum operating room size requirement from 120 square feet to 360 square feet• A provision that would increase the minimum operating size requirement from 400 square feet to 600 square feet if there are "additional personnel or large equipment" needs

ASCA believes this dramatic increase in size would be costly and unnecessary.